EDITORIAL

Grappling With Cayman's Growing Drug Problem

Friday, February 20, 2004

Although the Royal Cayman Islands Police have not yet determined a motive for the recent murders of two people in the Scranton/Central area of George Town, there are many indications that these crimes, as is the case with many other crimes committed here, are drug related. 

The issue of illegal drugs in the Cayman Islands is not a new one. For many decades, some of our residents have marched before magistrate after magistrate, charged with possession, consumption or the selling of ganja. 

Years ago, even though the use of ganja was prevalent in certain circles of the community, many regarded its presence here as more of a nuisance than a big problem. Ganja smokers, by and large, were not out committing crimes to support their habit.

Cocaine and other illegal drugs also had a presence here, but their use remained mostly limited and recreational through the start of the 1980's.

With the local drug scene thus small and isolated, and the crime confined to the trade and usage of the drugs themselves, apparently insufficient attention was put into tackling Cayman's drug presence.

Things, however, started to change in the 80's with the advent of crack cocaine, which is much more addictive than the powder form of the drug. Faced with desperate cravings for another "fix," users started turning to crimes like burglary in order to support their expensive addiction. Once other victims not involved in the drug scene began becoming affected, Cayman suddenly realised it had a problem on its hands.

Since that time, more efforts have been made to stem the tide of the local drug problem, including more police attention. From the social side of the issue, the National Drug Council was formed, youth education programmes like DARE were implemented, and rehabilitation centres like Caribbean Haven were established. 

Unfortunately, the problem has still worsened.

The mere fact that the population has more than doubled over the past 25 years is part of the reason, but another key reason has to do with economics. While the people of Cayman have generally improved their lot financially over the past three decades, not all of our citizens have kept pace with the earnings of their fellow countrymen. Some people, for a variety of reasons, have therefore turned to the drug trafficking to earn a living.

The prospects of making good money will little education, skills or effort by selling illegal drugs has made the trade very sophisticated these days. A larger market, a by-product of a higher population, has made it more lucrative for some to import drugs into the country. Drugs are now more available here than they ever were before, and as a result, there are more users than ever before. 

Drug related crime has thus increased dramatically, and the perpetrators have become more and more brazen with when, where and against whom they strike.

The problem has now deteriorated to a point that only a full-scale war on drugs is going to change the situation. What is needed is a total commitment of the entire community, including the police, the Government, the service clubs, the businesses, the churches and other organizations all working together to attempt to eradicate a trade that is negatively affecting the quality of life for us all. 

Illegal drugs can no longer be considered an isolated nuisance that can be largely ignored. The police know what they have to do, and now it is up to the community to do their part. People with information about illegal drugs in this country need to come forward and tell the police what they know. 

As in any war, difficult decisions must be made, but with the future of our children and our country at stake, reporting even on our friends and loved ones, if they are adding to our drug and crime problem, is a sacrifice that must be made.

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